Students may purse cell and molecular related research in any department at UW-Madison, however they will enroll with the Molecular Biology subject listing when completing research, a thesis, or participating in the honors seminar.
Molecular Biology 699: Directed Studies
Directed Studies in Molecular Biology is designed for students to pursue knowledge beyond the curriculum of the major through research. Mol Bio 699 research credit is pursued in collaboration and under direct supervision of a faculty member or research mentor. At least two credits of Mol Bio 699 is required to complete the Molecular and Cell Biology major requirements, however, students often continue their research position over several semesters. The second two credits of Mol Bio 699 may be used to complete the major’s Lab requirement. Visit the Undergraduate Research page for information on how to secure an undergraduate research position.
Mol Bio 699 Directed Study Form
Molecular Biology 681-682: Senior Honors Thesis
Senior Honors Thesis in Molecular Biology is a two semester sequence in which students pursuing Honors in the Major work with a faculty mentor on a laboratory project designed jointly by the student and their mentor. The Senior Honors Thesis Proposal Form is submitted to the MCB major at vjackson4@wisc.edu by August 31. After the proposal is approved, students will be given permission to enroll. During the first semester, a student begins work on the project and is assigned a grade of “P” for progress for Mol Bio 681 by the faculty mentor. At the end of the second semester, the student submits a final thesis to the MCB major with the results of experiments and conclusions. The process of writing the thesis introduces the student to scientific writing and publishing. Once the final thesis has been approved, the faculty mentor assigns a grade which is effective for both semesters, 6 credits total for both Mol Bio 681 and 682.
Senior Honors Thesis Proposal Form
Molecular Biology 686: Senior Honors Seminar
Senior Honors Seminar in Molecular Biology is a required one credit class for students pursuing Honors in the Major that explores the origins, present frontiers, and future prospects of molecular and cell biology. Students will read, write about, and discuss papers from the original literature. Social and ethical issues related to technologies based on molecular and cell biology are considered. Prerequisites: Sr St; juniors may register with consent of instructor.
Molecular Biology 691-692: Senior Thesis
Senior Thesis in Molecular Biology is a two semester sequence in which a student works with a faculty mentor on a laboratory project designed jointly by the student and their mentor. This option is for students who are not completing Honors in the Major, but want to pursue a Senior Thesis. During the first semester of the thesis, a student begins work on the project and is assigned a grade of “P” for progress for Mol Bio 691 by the faculty mentor. The process of writing the thesis introduces the student to scientific writing and publishing. Once the final thesis has been approved, the faculty mentor assigns a grade which is effective for both semesters, 6 credits total for both Mol Bio 691 and 692.